DETOXIFIXATION

Internal detoxification is often neglected, overlooked or misunderstood by the general public.  Every day our bodies are exposed to toxins and pollutants in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat.  Our environment subjects us to a variety of pesticides, chemicals, synthetics, petroleum products, etc.  These products are used in our home, office and car.  Our modern diets consisting of over-processed, overly cooked, devitalized, fast and junk foods, etc. can contribute to the toxic problem.  Our stressful lifestyles also create additional burdens on the digestive organs.  Stress affects every cell and tissue of the body, breaks down the immune system, and hinders proper digestion, absorption and elimination of foods.  Other factors that contribute to an overload of toxins accumulating in the body include lack of exercise, overeating and not drinking enough water.

Toxic acids are normal by-products of cellular metabolism in our bodies, and are excreted through our normal eliminative channels (lungs, bowel, skin, kidneys, and lymph system).  When the normal by-product toxins can be eliminated from the body there is not a problem.  But when toxins are being assimilated, ingested, or created in the body faster than they can be eliminated, or when the elimination process is under-active, toxic accumulations in the body create the necessary preconditions for disease to develop.

Internal detoxification is vital to optimum health. When we don't eliminate our waste, toxins back up in our bodies and can cause auto-intoxication, or self poisoning.  This occurs when the colon walls become encrusted with uneliminated fecal matter.  This hampers the absorption of vital nutrients.  Worse yet, old accumulated matter in the colon provides a breeding ground for unhealthy bacteria.  Blood capillaries lining the colon wall begin to absorb toxins into the bloodstream, which feel all of our body tissues and organs.  This lowers overall performance of our bodily functions and sets the stage for serious health problems.  This equals Dis-ease!!

Common symptoms of excess toxins in the body include fatigue, constipation, excess weight, stomach bloating, gas, depression, poor memory, poor skin, weakened immune system and overall feeling of lethargy.  If any of the above symptoms sound familiar, detoxification procedures would be of great benefit.

Your GI System and Toxins
Gastrointestinal function and ecology is a t the core of our health.  Imbalances from toxins can affect overall well-being.  Likewise, the structure and functions of the intestines determine total body toxin load and are essential to the process of detoxification.  Cleansing and healing the GI System (especially the colon) provides a base for effective detoxification.

Some Impressive GI System Facts
The total GI mucosal surface is made up of many microscopic crypts and crevices, most of which are in the small intestine and have the interactive area equivalent to the size of a tennis court.

• There are more bacteria (1012) in a gram of stool than there are stars in the known universe.
• The microbes of the GI system constitute a very metabolically active area of the body, second only to the liver.
• The total weight of the bacteria located in the colon of the average person equals approximately five pounds (or about the weight of our liver).
• The digestive organs manufacture nearly a gallon of juices per day to help digest and utilize the food we eat.

Problems of parasitosis, abnormal GI mucosal permeability, infection, and inflammation are exceedingly common and may cause both gastrointestinal complaints and other health concerns.  The GI tract is stressed and otherwise adversely affected by these toxic substances and lifestyle habits.

• eating refined foods and sugar
• eating excess fatty and rich foods
• overeating and failing to chew more than once of twice per mouthful of food
• drinking too much with meals, thus diluting our digestive juices and reducing our ability to properly break down food
• food chemicals,m pesticides and environmental toxins
• the persistent use of alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine
• use of prescription, over the counter and recreational drugs
• lack of fiber and whole foods, specifically lacking fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes in the diet

What Can You Do - The 5R Plan

Rebalance - Your diet, your lifestyle, and your life.  This is  important as these areas contribute to health and the state of the digestive tract.  Staying away from sugar, refined foods, and irritating substances such as caffeine and alcohol can make a big difference.  Learning to deal with stress and developing coping and relaxation skills can help calm the GI tract and support better digestion and assimilation.

Remove - any offending organisms, particularly pathogenic mocroflora and/or any food antigens that cause allergic and immunologic reactions.

Replace - inadequate amounts of hydrochloric acid, digestive enzymes and pancreatic products.  Fiber supplementation may also be necessary.

Reinoculation - refers to the reintroduction of "reflorastation" of desirable bacterial flora as well as special nutrients such as fructooligosaccharides (FOS) which support the growth and function of friendly microorganisms.  Reinoculation includes supplementation of symbiotic bacteria normally present in the healthy GI tract.  These bacteria call "probiotics" include Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacteria bifidus.

Repair -  means providing nutritional support for the regeneration and healing of the gastrointestinal lining and is probably the most important component of the 5R Program.  A proper diet of fresh fruit and vegetables, plenty of distilled or good reverse osmosis water, regular exercise, elimination of stress and proper bowel elimination are the necessary steps vital in beginning the detoxification program.  Herbs have been used for centuries in cleaning the bowel, blood, tissues, cells and organs.  They have a remarkable history of curative effects on the body.  A good vitamin and mineral program will also be beneficial to your detoxification program.  The essence of herbal, vitamin and mineral therapy is to activate the body's own miraculous self-healing power.